Ferrari 296 GTB Review: The Hybrid Supercar That Feels Illegal
21.02.2026 - 15:44:34 | ad-hoc-news.de
Bottom line up front: The Ferrari 296 GTB is the rare plug?in hybrid that doesn’t feel like a compromise. It’s a compact mid?engine rocket that can creep silently through your neighborhood on electric power, then scream to 8,500 rpm like a classic Ferrari V8 the moment you hit an on?ramp.
If youre in the US and wondering whether Ferraris downsized, electrified supercar has the drama and usability to justify its price, this is the one that might finally make you think, "Yes, I actually could live with this." What you need to know now 02.
Explore the official Ferrari 296 GTB details and configurations here
Analysis: Whats behind the hype
The 296 GTB matters because its Ferraris first mid?engine V6 plug?in hybrid road car 10 and it sets the template for where Maranello is going next. Instead of chasing only headline horsepower, Ferrari focused on feel: steering feedback, throttle response, and a chassis that flatters you even when youre not a pro.
Its also one of the most approachable modern Ferraris for US buyers. Compared with a F8 Tributo or 812, the 296 GTB is smaller, easier to place in traffic, and its EV mode takes some of the edge off in cities with strict noise or emissions rules.
| Key spec | Ferrari 296 GTB (US market) |
|---|---|
| Powertrain | 3.0L twin?turbo V6 + rear electric motor (plug?in hybrid) |
| Total system output | Approx. 819 hp (610 kW) |
| Transmission | 8?speed dual?clutch automatic (DCT), rear?wheel drive |
| Battery & EV range | 7.45 kWh lithium?ion; roughly 15–16 miles of electric?only range (EU cycle, expect less in real US driving) |
| 0 120 mph | ~2.9 seconds (manufacturer estimate, confirmed broadly by independent tests) |
| Top speed | Over 205 mph |
| Drive modes | eDrive, Hybrid, Performance, Qualifying (+ chassis modes: Wet, Sport, Race, CT Off, ESC Off) |
| US base price (coupe) | Approx. low-to-mid $300,000 range before options (dealer confirmed; varies by spec and local taxes) |
| Key options (US) | Assetto Fiorano track package, carbon?fiber wheels, front?axle lift, extensive carbon interior/exterior, ADAS camera systems, advanced audio |
| Body style | 2?seat mid?engine berlinetta (GTB); GTS spider available separately |
| US availability | Available via authorized Ferrari dealers nationwide; build slots often allocated to existing clients first |
How it actually feels on US roads
American reviewers whove driven the 296 GTB on California canyons and East Coast backroads keep coming back to the same word: precision. Steering is ultra quick but not twitchy, the brake?by?wire system is better tuned than most hybrids, and the car shrinks around you when you push.
Independent tests from outlets like Car and Driver and Road & Track highlight how the electric motor doesnt just patch over turbo lag; it makes the whole powerband feel naturally aspirated. The 296 fires off the line with EV torque, then the V6 piles on with a rising, almost V12?like soundtrack thats shocking from just six cylinders.
On regular US highways, you can run in Hybrid or Performance mode and the car settles down. The dual?clutch gearbox is smooth, the cabin is quieter than a hardcore track special, and in eDrive mode you can slip through early?morning neighborhoods without waking anyone.
Why the V6 hybrid isnt a downgrade
Ferrari moving from a V8 to a V6 for its mid?engine berlinetta line sounded sacrilegious to some US fans when the 296 GTB launched. But most reviewers and owners now say its a non?issue 10 and in some ways an upgrade.
- The V6 is mounted incredibly low and close to the cabin, improving the 296s balance and turn?in compared to older V8s.
- The electric motor fills gaps in the torque curve, so you get instant shove out of tight corners without waiting for boost.
- Sound design leans into a higher?pitched, "mini V12" character that a lot of US reviewers actually prefer to the flat crank V8s.
Online, youll see some skepticism about hybrid complexity and long?term maintenance, especially from US Reddit threads and YouTube comments. But Ferraris recent plug?in platforms (including SF90) havent triggered major reliability scandals so far, and the 296 shares lessons learned from those earlier halo cars.
Daily?driving reality in the US
The 296 GTB isnt a grocery?getter, but its more livable than you think. Owners on US?based forums mention that the front?axle lift option is essentially mandatory for driveways and speed bumps, and the nose is less fragile in practice than the aggressive styling suggests.
The plug?in side of the car is simple. You can recharge from a standard home outlet overnight, or top up enough juice for short EV hops between errands. For most owners, charging is about convenience and stealth rather than saving gas money.
Cabin tech is very Ferrari: minimal physical buttons, lots of touch?sensitive surfaces on the steering wheel, and a digital cluster that takes some acclimation. US reviewers are split here 10 some love the futuristic approach, others miss the clarity of more conventional controls.
US pricing, options, and where it fits
In the United States, the Ferrari 296 GTB slots roughly where the F8 Tributo used to live in the lineup, but with a more tech?dense and future?proof package. Dealer guidance and recent buyer reports put typical out?the?door prices from the low $300,000s for a relatively modest build to well above $400,000 with Assetto Fiorano, carbon wheels, and heavy carbon trim.
It competes most directly with:
- McLaren Artura (another V6 plug?in hybrid)
- Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica/EVO (pure V10, but similar money and drama)
- Porsche 911 Turbo S (less exotic, similar pace, more usable)
If youre in the US and care about resale, the 296 GTB benefits from Ferraris usual demand dynamics. Early allocations have tended to favor existing Ferrari customers, and well?specced examples with classic colors (Rosso Corsa, Rosso Imola, Giallo Modena, Nero) and the right options (lift, carbon wheels, sport seats) should remain in strong demand on the pre?owned market.
Want to see how it performs in real life? Check out these real opinions:
What the experts say (Verdict)
Across US and global outlets, the consensus is unusually aligned: the Ferrari 296 GTB is one of the best?driving mid?engine Ferraris of the modern era. Reviewers at enthusiast publications praise how it blends outrageous speed with a chassis that makes sense even on imperfect American roads.
Highlights experts keep calling out:
- Powertrain brilliance: The V6 + e?motor combo feels seamless, with instant torque and an addictive, high?revving soundtrack.
- Handling and balance: Quick steering, huge grip, and a playful rear end in Race/CT Off modes without feeling evil at the limit.
- Everyday usability (for a Ferrari): EV mode in neighborhoods, reasonably compliant ride with standard suspension, and enough tech to make long drives tolerable.
Common criticisms and trade?offs:
- Interface overload: The touch?heavy steering wheel and menu system frustrate some reviewers, especially when making simple adjustments on the move.
- Hybrid complexity and cost: Concerns about long?term battery and system maintenance, amplified in US discussions where extreme heat or cold is common.
- Price creep: Once you add must?have options (lift, key carbon bits, driver aids), the price easily jumps far beyond the already?high base.
From a US?buyer perspective, the 296 GTB is not the rational choice 10 its the statement choice. Youre getting one of the sharpest modern Ferraris, with a powertrain that future?proofs you against tightening emissions rules while still delivering the sensory overload you want from a Prancing Horse.
If you care more about lap times and feedback than back?seat space or luggage capacity, and you want a Ferrari that feels like the brands next chapter rather than its last, the 296 GTB is arguably the sweet spot of the current lineup for US drivers.
Die Kurse spielen verrückt – oder folgen sie nur Mustern, die du noch nicht kennst?
Emotionale Kurzschlussreaktionen auf unruhige Märkte kosten dich bares Geld. Vertraue bei deiner Geldanlage stattdessen auf kühle Analysen und harte Fakten. Seit 2005 navigiert 'trading-notes' Anleger mit präzisen Handlungsempfehlungen sicher durch jede Marktphase. Hol dir dreimal pro Woche unaufgeregte Experten-Strategien in dein Postfach.
100% kostenlos. 100% Expertenwissen. Jetzt abonnieren.
